Posted by: Bruce Einhorn on July 25, 2008

People in the know seem to think that Beijing’s leaders prefer John McCain over Barack Obama, since Republicans typically take a more China-friendly approach to trade. And bellicose McCain rhetoric about a League of Democracies notwithstanding, Chinese leaders seem to take a devil-you-know approach to American politics that would lead them to prefer sticking with the Republicans.

Now comes word, though, that the GOP nominee will be meeting the Dalai Lama today in Aspen. Sort of strange timing, just days after hundreds of thousands of people showed up in Berlin to see Obama. With the Democratic nominee showing on his trip to the Middle East and Europe what it might be like to have a president whom foreigners actually like, McCain is meeting the Tibetan leader in a move that is surely going to tick off the Chinese. Still, this might actually be a rare smart move by McCain’s campaign, providing him a pretty easy way to boost his tough-on-China cred without having to change anything related to U.S.-China trade.

Reader Comments

peace4all1

July 25, 2008 12:28 PM

It's very unfortunate that most of Americans don't know nor care that it's extremely dangerous for their leaders to manipulate foreign policy just to satisfy domestic political agenda.

What goes around, comes around - many times harder! But it is American people who will harvest what their politicians seed today.

Bonny

July 25, 2008 12:28 PM

Last week HHDL spoke about Bush, he said he did not have a hold on reality. I am sure that McCains belief in the Irag war will be a sticking point. He is making every wrong turn possible.

Bob

July 25, 2008 1:31 PM

Once again, the Dalai Lama is proven to be willing, ready and able to be a prawn for his clients. It has been this way at least since the CIA became one of his customers in the 1960s.

Mary Lou

July 25, 2008 6:07 PM

It can only be beneficial for McCain's consciousness to meet with the Dalai Lama.

Jian Xie

July 26, 2008 8:15 AM

Dalai Lama is not a religion leader, and no leaders in the west think Buddhism is a religion, and Senator Obama in Berlin he ever did not mention Buddhism. Only someone think Buddhism is religion when they use it aganst China and Chinese people, if you do not put a religion leader in the title, he looks like a terrist for me, or nasty animal "lama" from Southern American,such as Chile.

TongueUntied

July 26, 2008 3:58 PM

While your POV is subject to debate, I disagree. It's inconsistent with the "RealPolitik" that his campaign claims to practice. And it's naive to think that this move won't have an adverse effect on his overall relationship. For the McCain of 2000, Maverick and all, this would have been a "smart move." And for Obama as well, if carefully executed, it would be consonant with his brand. But for the McCain of 2008, its the peace equivalent of appearing at a German restaurant while Obama was IN Berlin. It reeks of flop sweat.

Ivona Vujica

July 28, 2008 12:24 AM

Abolition King coal, Fossil fuels, Nuclear power and Weapons

McCain and the Dalai Lama met at a private $10 million home in Aspen's tony West End neighborhood. The Dalai Lama says John McCain cares about the Environment.

Time to listen to the wisdom and actions of the Tibetan Youth Congress(TYC)
[url]http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=22029&article=TYC+to+launch+second+%E2%80%9CTibetan+People%E2%80%99s+Mass+Movement%E2%80%9D%2C+vows+protests+during+Beijing+Olympics&t=1&c=1
[/url]
Sen. John McCain the candidate who without waiver supports King coal,
Fossil fuels, Nuclear power and Weapons

Sen John Mccain longtime bagman for King coal & Dark Lord Nuclear

Senator John Mccain Arizona-has been a cheerleader and bagman for dirty coal for decades & King coal's kissin' cousin Dark Lord Nuclear.In his state Gov bill Richardson had been critical of Sithe Global's giant dirty coal-fired plant-Desert Rock(Sithe global being owned by world's largest private equity corp Blackstone. The Sithe's dirty coal-fired plant in Nevada is opposed by local councils and US Senate leader Harry Reid. Local councils in Ontario Canada, are against Sithe's giant methane plants also being planned.

(In addition to the impact of coal on the natural environment of Black Mesa, twelve thousand Navajos have been removed from their lands due to the mining, the largest removal of Native Americans since the 1880s.[13] John McCain authored the relocation bill, called the 1974 Navajo-Hopi Settlement Act.[14]
[url]http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?ti ... erican_tri[/url]b...

Jian Xie

July 28, 2008 5:57 AM

It is too obvious who is the winner and who is the loser. A lot of people around of the world think Senator Obama is the winner in the Berlin speech. Dalai Lama could not save McCain's skin, and Sen. McCain could Not save Dailai Lama's ass. Hairy Chest toward to China & Chinese People would not save him from defeat. As some people point out, he should put American economy first, such as sub-loan crisis.....

Toobad

July 28, 2008 10:39 AM

McCain is too old to be a president. He should go back home and play with his grandsons.

Eric

July 28, 2008 11:31 AM

Americans are too arrogant, most of them have very very poor knowledges about the histories of others countries, 5000 years Chinese history is just too complicate for them. They were educated by their mainstream medias, same as John McCain. But I think that things will change in the coming 20 years, US will be getting weaker while China will be getting stronger and stronger.

kunsang dorjee

October 12, 2008 3:06 AM

jian xie
the world really dont know who really you are and how much educated you are, but i am 100 % sure that you are a prehistoric earlyman just by going through your messege. educated doesnt means holding some degree. you are a good example of chinese and thier attitude. proudy with no humanity atall religionless.

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Bloomberg Businessweek’s team of Asia reporters brings you the latest insights on business, politics, technology and culture from some of the world’s biggest and fastest-growing economies.